UROP Project

Silicon Sensor Process Quality Control for the High Granularity Calorimeter Upgrade of the Compact Muon Solenoid Detector

silicon, physics, particle
Research Mentor: Rachel Yohay,
Department, College, Affiliation: Physics, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: ryohay@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Alexander Wade
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: awade2@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Physics
Electrical Engineering
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Tuesday, September 5 2-3 PM EDT (https://fsu.zoom.us/j/93906388439?pwd=SHQvVm1za24xYVFuZFNpcUpZQTdGdz09)

Project Description

The High Granularity Calorimeter (HGCAL) is a novel detector for measuring the energies of particles produced in proton-proton collisions at the High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC). The HL-LHC is slated to begin operation in 2029 and construction of the HGCAL has therefore begun in 2023. Silicon sensors will be used throughout the HGCAL to detect the energy deposited by passing charged particles. Designs for these sensors are finalized and production has begun. There is a suite of measurements of the sensor process characteristics that is sensitive to small drifts in the process. Such information needs to be fed back to the vendor to ensure that high quality sensors are delivered over the 2.5-year production run. The purpose of this project is to make those process measurements on production wafers.

Research Tasks: The student's main research tasks are to perform the process quality control tests in the lab, analyze the data collected, and report findings to the research group. Of particular interest is the ability to distinguish different sensor types and batches via process quality control measurements. Secondarily, the student will assist with test stand maintenance and repair as needed.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Some introductory-level familiarity with Linux (recommended)
Some introductory-level familiarity with scripting in Python (recommended)
LabVIEW (recommended)

Mentoring Philosophy

I like to introduce students to projects via discussion and readings, letting the student come up with questions based on their understanding of the reading. We give frequent feedback in my lab via weekly meetings and discussion. I'd encourage any potential students to speak with my current undergraduate students to find out how my mentoring philosophy translates into practice!

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